BALING: The murder of Felcra retiree Sabari Baharom has left neighbours, especially those who knew the suspect, feeling uneasy.
Mohd Sukeri Karim, 61, said he has since become extra cautious, regularly writing down vehicle number plates of cars and any other vehicles passing by his house that are not familiar to him and his family.
Sukeri said his house is located at the end of the road in Kampung Mengkuang Tengah.
"Now, whenever a vehicle turns around, we feel suspicious. It is fine if we are familiar with the vehicle.
"If not, we will write down the registration number especially vehicles spotted roaming in our area at night.
"Any noise wakes us up, and we check outside.
"We're worried for our safety, so much so that our children are considering installing security cameras around the house," he said.
Sukeri, a father of six, also said that he knew the suspect, a contractor hired to build his nephew's home, about 300 metres away.
"He come over with my nephew at the start of the build to get acquainted," the civil servant said.
Sukeri added that Sabari, 62, was always concerned about his well-being, checking in on him if he hadn't seen him at the mosque.
"We live in a tight knit community. Sabari was our closest neighbour, and his absence is deeply felt. We hope his body is found soon so he can be laid to rest.
"It's unimaginable that someone Sabari treated kindly—often giving him fruits as he did for us—could do something so terrible," he added.
Meanwhile, Masjid al-Mutmainnah Kampung Mengkuang imam Saidin Husain, 65, described Sabari as a kind man who regularly attended all five daily prayers at the mosque.
Saidin added that Sabari would recite the Quran after the Maghrib prayers while waiting for Isyak prayers at the mosque.
"He always shared his fruit harvest with the mosque congregation and occasionally hosted feasts at the mosque and his home.
"The entire congregation mourns his death," he added.
He said the mosque has held several prayer sessions and Yasin recitations since Sabari's disappearance.
"We plan to hold more prayers and a memorial for him. If his body is found, we are ready to assist with the funeral arrangements. We hope the search for his remains goes smoothly," he added.
Sabari, a retired Felcra financial officer, was confirmed by police to have been thrown into Sungai Padang Terap in Jitra with his hands bound and his mouth taped shut.
This came after the confession of two local men, aged 26 and 38, who were arrested last Friday.